Bengali Ramayana - Towards Mithila

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Accompanied by the sage, the two princes reached

the banks of Ganges. Kaivarta, the boatsman stayed

there. Hearing that Rama had brought a stone to life he

fled. Vishwamitra ordered him to appear. Kaivarta was

afraid that if Rama could bring a stone to life, as soon

as Rama stepped on his boat it would come to life

and he would not have another means of livelihood.

Kaivarta washed Rama's feet on being given the assurance

that nothing of that kind would happen. Kaivarta took

Vishwamitra, Rama and Lakshmana across the river. <br>On

reaching Vishwamitra's ashrama, Vishwamitra sat down for a

yagna. The rishis got all that they needed, and amidst

chanting of the Vedas they started. Maricha, the rakshasha

along with other rakshashas came to Vishwamitra's

ashrama. As soon as they approached, Rama and Lakshmana

started shooting arrows. Using the Indra astra, Varun

astra and Gandharva astra Rama and Lakshmana destroyed

all of Maricha's followers. Maricha, son of Taraka

was angry. The Gods realizing that if Maricha died,

Sita would not be kidnapped and Ravana would not die.

Rama shot the Braja astra but instead of dying Maricha

went flying thorugh the skies and went and fell in

Lanka. Maricha was stunned and suddenly he realized who

Rama was. He changed his life and became a sanyasi and

started praying to Rama. <br>The yagna was completed

successfully. All the rishis then blessed Rama and Lakshmana.

Vishwamitra then told Rama that in Mithila, Sita's swamvar

was to be organized. He told Rama about Shiva's bow.

Accompanied by Vishwamitra and other Brahmins, Rama and

Lakshmana to see the bow and if possible lift it.

<br>Janaka greeted Vishwamitra and the brahmins. Vishwamitra

then introduced the princes to Janaka. Hearing that

the prince of Ayodhya had come to Mithila, everyone

flocked to see him. Sita along with her friends also saw

Rama. She was thrilled to see Rama and started praying

to the Gods to make Rama her husband. She heard a

voice from the heavens then which told her not to

worry. In hands of Rama, the bow would become as light

as a flower and Rama would wed her.